Liverpool took a big gamble by not strengthening in the January transfer window, according to Reds legend Jan Molby.

Brendan Rodgers was left frustrated after the club missed out on deals to sign Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah and Dnipro playmaker Yevhen Konoplyanka.

They have taken a big gamble, I feel. I just hope it doesn’t cost them

Jan Molby

And former Reds midfielder Molby feels the Northern Irishman’s squad is already stretched and Liverpool could pay the price at the end of the season.

“I know a lot of Liverpool fans were very unhappy with how the January transfer window panned out – and I have to say I share their frustrations,” Molby wrote in his Liverpool Echo column.

“It doesn’t take a genius to work out that Liverpool’s squad is a couple of players short of what is needed for a genuine top-four contender.

“That they are still up there is testament to the form of their front men, and the excellent work of their manager.

“I’m not overly-concerned about the fact that it was Salah and Konoplyanka that were missed. I genuinely don’t think a winger is needed, for the starting line-up anyway.”

Molby continued: “My concern is more with the bench. Liverpool lack the options to change a game. And their game is based around high intensity, pressing and chasing. That puts great demands on players, and means they can often look tired after 70-75 minutes.

“That is when you need to look to your bench to help you out. Liverpool, generally, have struggled in the second half of games this season, and that is partly because they don’t have anyone to come on and change things for them.

“Of course they could still get away with it, and finish in the top four. But they have taken a big gamble, I feel. I just hope it doesn’t cost them.”